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Dom Irrera
Dom Irrera
Dom Irrera
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Domenick Jack Irrera (born November 18, 1948) is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Much of his material is in the form of stories about his life, especially his childhood years and growing up in an Italian-American family.[citation needed]

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Irrera went to college in Florida, attending Barry University and St. Thomas University.[1]

In 1989, Irrera's episode of the HBO TV series, One Night Stand won a Cable Ace Award.[2]

Irrera has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1986, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and The Late Show with David Letterman.[3] He also appeared as a contestant on the game show Win Ben Stein's Money.

Irrera is a regular performer at the Cat Laughs in Kilkenny; he has made 22 appearances at the festival, more than any other comic. He appeared on an episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld as Ronnie Kaye, the prop comic and on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens as Spero Demopolous. Irrera made 11 appearances as himself on the animated series Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, and is the only comic to appear in all six seasons.[citation needed]

Irrera was voted one of the hundred funniest comics of all time by Comedy Central. He was the Judge on the Supreme Court of Comedy on the 101 exclusively on DirecTV.[citation needed]

Dom Irrera at the Kilkenny Cat Laughs festival - Ireland in 2003

He also did some voiceovers[4] for Nickelodeon as Ernie Potts on Hey Arnold! and as Duke on Back at the Barnyard, and played a chauffeur in the 1998 film The Big Lebowski.[citation needed]

Discography

[edit]
  • Greatest Hits Volume One (2003)[5]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1982 Splitz Vinnie Mamabasta
1987 Hollywood Shuffle Writer
1989 That's Adequate Stand-Up Comic
1994 The Silence of the Hams Gas Station Attendant
1998 The Big Lebowski Tony the Chauffeur
2000 A Man Is Mostly Water Agent
2002 Hey Arnold!: The Movie Ernie Potts Voice
2002 The 4th Tenor Petey
2006 Barnyard Duke Voice
2016 The Bronx Bull Joe E. Lewis
2017 Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie Ernie Potts Voice, television film

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1985 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Cab Driver Episode: "The Wrong Way Home"
1986 The Golden Girls The Produce Clerk / The Waiter 2 episodes
1987 My Sister Sam Cab Driver Episode: "Fog Bound"
1987–1988 It's Garry Shandling's Show Dominic Carbone 2 episodes
1988 She's the Sheriff Jim 2 episodes
1989 My Two Dads The Elevator Repairman / Dr. Dom 2 episodes
1990 Room for Romance Roman 4 episodes
1991 Dream On Plumber Episode: "The Charlotte Letter"
1992 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Joey 'Pants' Episode: "Home Alone with Annie"
1993 Rocko's Modern Life Slippy Voice, 2 episodes
1994 Seinfeld Ronnie Kaye Episode: "The Fire"
1994 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Harry Episode: "Season's Greedings"
1996 Boy Meets World Bosco Episode: "Hair Today, Goon Tomorrow"
1996–2002 Hey Arnold! Ernie Potts Voice, 34 episodes
1996 Caroline in the City Cop Episode: "Caroline and the Dreamers"
1996–1997 Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys Spydor Voice, 4 episodes
1997–1998 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Dominic Voice, 7 episodes
1998 Damon Carroll Fontaine 7 episodes
1998 Hercules Achilles Voice, episode: "Hercules and the Living Legend"
1998 Home Improvement Ed Episode: "Ploys for Tots"
2000 Everybody Loves Raymond Seth Stipe Episode: "Marie and Frank's New Friends"
2000 Becker Mr. Orvis Episode: "The Bearer of Bad Tidings"
2000 The King of Queens Spero Demopolous Episode: "Work Related"
2002 The Drew Carey Show Stan Episode: "Bringing Up Boss"
2002–2005 My Wife and Kids Woody Flores 5 episodes
2003 Crank Yankers Dominic 'Dom'
2007–2011 Back at the Barnyard Duke Voice, 34 episodes
2010 'Til Death Doctor 4 episodes
2014 Bob's Burgers The Nose Voice, episode: "Ambergris"
2017–2018 I'm Dying Up Here James Seamus 'Fitzy' Fitzpatrick 9 episodes
2018 The Comedy Central Roast Himself Episode: "Bruce Willis"

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dom Irrera

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Dom Irrera (born November 18, 1948) is an American stand-up , , and renowned for his observational humor rooted in his Italian-American family experiences and working-class upbringing. Raised in a multi-generational household in , Irrera honed his comedic style through stories of overbearing relatives, mishaps, and everyday absurdities, earning six American Comedy Award nominations over his career. His breakthrough came in the with appearances on HBO's Nothin' Goes Right (1988) and two CableACE Awards for his stand-up specials, establishing him as a fixture in the scene. Irrera's television career includes hosting Showtime's Full Frontal Comedy (1996–1998), a series regular role on Fox's Damon (1998) starring , and guest spots on shows like , , , , , and . He has performed on major late-night programs, including (1986), , , and , and was ranked among Central's 100 greatest stand-up comedians. In film, Irrera voiced characters in the animated Barnyard (2006) and appeared in (1998), while his stand-up specials include (2000) and the 2025 release Dom Irrera: Live from Las Vegas, recorded at the Laugh Factory in the Tropicana Hotel.

Early Life

Childhood and Family

Dom Irrera was born Domenick Jack Irrera on November 18, 1948, in , . He grew up in the neighborhood, immersed in a vibrant Italian-American community that profoundly influenced his worldview. Irrera was raised in a bustling, multi-generational Italian-American household where his mother, sister, grandmother, uncles, and cousins all lived under one roof, creating a lively environment filled with familial interactions and cultural traditions. This crowded home dynamic, typical of many working-class Italian families in the area, provided endless fodder for his observational humor, as he often recounted stories of the chaos and warmth that defined daily life. His experiences extended to attending , which added layers of strict discipline and religious rituals to his upbringing, while summers spent in nearby Atlantic City offered a contrast with beach outings and family escapades. The family dynamics and Italian cultural traditions profoundly shaped Irrera's storytelling style in , drawing directly from anecdotes like those about his tiny grandmother, who shrank so much with age that he joked she could have been buried in a Kleenex box. These personal tales of exaggerated family quirks—such as the boisterous gatherings, dialect-infused conversations, and the close-knit bonds—formed the core of his narrative-driven routines, emphasizing the humor in everyday Italian-American life without venturing into explicit or risqué territory. This foundation from his childhood later prompted a move to for education, marking a departure from the intense family environment.

Education

Irrera attended West Catholic High School in , where as a his comedic talent became evident, and a suggested he study . However, he was expelled from the school and subsequently graduated from Bartram High School. Irrera attended and St. Thomas University in during the late and early . He graduated from St. Thomas University, then known as Biscayne , in 1972. Majoring in speech and drama at these institutions, Irrera engaged in theatrical productions, including the role of the rabbi in , which he humorously described as making him "the only Italian rabbi in ." Details on his specific coursework or other extracurricular activities remain limited, though he later recalled fond memories of his time as a drama student at . Relocating from his working-class Italian-American family background in to the more diverse cultural landscape of provided Irrera with new perspectives that fostered personal growth and honed his observational skills, laying groundwork for his comedic style.

Stand-up Comedy Career

Beginnings and Breakthrough

Irrera began developing his stand-up comedy routine in during the late 1970s, drawing heavily on stories from his Italian-American family life in South Philadelphia's multi-generational household. His material often revolved around the quirks and dynamics of his extended family, including his mother, sister, grandmother, uncles, and cousins, which provided a rich foundation for his observational humor. In the early 1980s, Irrera relocated to to pursue stand-up professionally, transitioning from improv work and early gigs to the competitive comedy scene there. This move allowed him to refine his act amid the vibrant West Coast club circuit, where he quickly gained traction through consistent performances. Irrera's first major exposure came via appearances at iconic venues like in , followed by his standout performance on Rodney Dangerfield's special Nothing Goes Right in 1988. These opportunities marked his breakthrough to national audiences, showcasing his rapid-fire delivery and family-centric storytelling. Building on this momentum, Irrera secured initial television spots in the , including his debut on Starring in 1986 and an appearance on . These early TV outings solidified his presence in mainstream comedy, highlighting his ability to connect with broader viewers beyond club stages.

Specials, Albums, and Awards

Irrera gained significant recognition with his 1989 HBO special One Night Stand, a performance that showcased his observational humor drawn from everyday life and Italian-American family dynamics, earning him the CableACE Award for Best Stand-Up Comedy Special. He followed this with another special, Command Performance, in 1992. Additional specials include Comedy Central Presents: Dom Irrera in 2000 and Dom Irrera: Is This Thing On? in 2009. This accolade marked an early highlight in his stand-up career, following appearances on specials hosted by , and solidified his reputation as a rising talent in television. In 2003, Irrera released Greatest Hits Volume One, a compilation album featuring audio recordings of his classic routines, including tracks like "I Don't Mean That In a Bad Way" and "My Family," which captured his signature storytelling style and rapid-fire delivery. The album, issued by Scungili Bros Records, served as a retrospective of his material developed over years of live performances, highlighting themes of family, culture, and urban anecdotes. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Irrera received six nominations for the American Comedy Award, recognizing his consistent excellence as a stand-up performer and contributing to his status as a respected figure among peers. These honors underscored the impact of his relatable, character-driven on the industry. In 2004, ranked Irrera #79 on its list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time, affirming his enduring influence and popularity based on a featuring fellow comedians. Irrera has made numerous appearances at the Kilkenny Cat Laughs comedy festival in Ireland since the , more than any other American comedian, where his performances have become a staple, drawing crowds with his energetic and anecdotal sets. In 2025, he released his final stand-up special, Dom Irrera: Live from , recorded at the in the Tropicana Hotel.

Acting Career

Film Roles

Irrera made his feature film debut in the 1987 satirical comedy , directed by Robert Townsend, where he portrayed a writer in a supporting role that satirized Hollywood's stereotypes of Black actors. His performance contributed to the film's ensemble critique of industry biases, drawing on his comedic timing to deliver lines with a distinctive raspy delivery. One of Irrera's most iconic film roles came in 1998's , directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, in which he played Tony the Chauffeur, a wisecracking cab driver who interacts with the protagonist in a memorable scene. The character's quick-witted banter and gravelly voice exemplified Irrera's stand-up roots, adding to the film's cult status through his collaboration with stars like . In the 2006 animated feature Barnyard, directed by , Irrera provided the voice for Duke the Dog, a loyal sheepdog with a gruff, humorous personality that showcased his vocal range in comedic scenes. He appeared in films including the role of Petey in the 2002 comedy The 4th Tenor opposite James Marshall and , and Joe E. Lewis in the 2016 biopic , where his raspy and timing enhanced supporting characters in varied casts.

Television and Voice Roles

Irrera gained recognition for his guest appearance on the sitcom Seinfeld, where he portrayed the eccentric prop comic Ronnie Kaye in the season 5 episode "The Fire," aired in 1994. In the role, Kaye pesters with his act involving a flaming , highlighting Irrera's knack for portraying frustrated performers. Irrera hosted HBO's Full Frontal Comedy from 1996 to 1998. He had a series regular role on Fox's Damon in 1998, starring . Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Irrera made guest appearances on popular CBS sitcoms, including as Seth Stipe, the boisterous neighbor in the 2000 episode "Marie and Frank's New Friends." He also appeared on as Spero Demopolous, a quirky office worker, in the 2000 episode "Work Related." These roles showcased his ability to deliver quick-witted, blue-collar humor in ensemble settings. He had additional guest spots on HBO's , , and Fox's . In , Irrera lent his distinctive raspy tone to during the 1990s. He voiced Ernie Potts, the dim-witted handyman and inventor, in multiple episodes of Nickelodeon's Hey Arnold!, starting from its 1996 debut. Additionally, he provided the voice for Spydor, the scheming spider-like alien, in four episodes of the sci-fi comedy in 1996-1997. Irrera recurred as the gruff comedian Fitzy Fitzpatrick in nine episodes of Showtime's in 2017-2018, a series depicting the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene. In 2018, he participated as a roaster in the Comedy Central Roast of , delivering pointed jokes about the actor's career and personal life.

Later Career and Legacy

Recent Projects

In the 2020s, Dom Irrera shifted focus toward wrapping up his stand-up legacy amid health challenges, culminating in the release of his final comedy special. Announced on July 17, 2025, and released on July 29, 2025, by Comedy Dynamics, Dom Irrera: Live From is a 52-minute performance filmed at the Laugh Factory inside the Tropicana Hotel in in 2017. The special serves as Irrera's farewell to live stand-up, announced in conjunction with his retirement from touring due to a diagnosis around 2021. Despite his health challenges, Irrera continued limited live performances, including at the festival in in 2023 and a show in Kansas City in 2024. Routines in the special revisit signature themes from his career, such as Italian-American family life and observational humor on everyday absurdities, echoing the style established in his earlier works like the 1989 special. The project, available on platforms including , Apple TV, and , also spawned an audio album released on August 1, 2025, featuring 11 tracks totaling 47 minutes. No significant guest appearances or voice roles for Irrera have been documented between 2019 and November 2025, allowing the special to stand as the primary capstone to his comedy endeavors in the decade.

Recognition and Influence

Dom Irrera's has significantly influenced the genre of -based routines, particularly through his emphasis on Italian-American family dynamics and everyday absurdities drawn from his upbringing. His material, often delivered in a stream-of-consciousness style mimicking familial conversations, has resonated as a model for observational humor that blends personal anecdotes with cultural specificity, paving the way for subsequent comedians to explore ethnic heritage in relatable, narrative-driven sets. This approach is evident in his participation as a roaster on Central's Roast of in , where his quick-witted, character-infused jabs exemplified the roast format's reliance on improvisational , inspiring a generation of performers in that high-stakes environment. With a career spanning over 40 years, Irrera exemplifies longevity in the stand-up industry, remaining a consistent presence since his breakout in the 1980s. His enduring activity underscores a commitment to the craft that has allowed him to evolve alongside changing comedy landscapes while maintaining core elements of his act. As a paid regular at iconic venues like The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Irrera has solidified his role as a foundational figure, frequently performing and mentoring emerging talent in the club's ecosystem. Irrera's broader cultural footprint is marked by extensive festival appearances and television exposure, which have cemented his niche as an comic with a distinctive, gravelly Philadelphia accent that conveys authentic, working-class relatability. He holds the record for the most performances by an American comedian at Ireland's Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, alongside appearances at the in , the , and the , where he earned a Herald Angel Award for his contributions. On television, guest spots on various shows have amplified his voice-acting talents and stand-up persona, broadening his appeal and embedding his raspy, narrative style into mainstream comedy culture. His final special, Live from Las Vegas released in July 2025, encapsulates this influential legacy by revisiting themes of family and resilience that defined his career.

References

  1. https://www.laughfactory.com/comedians/bio/DomIrrera
  2. https://thecomedystore.com/comedians/dom-irrera/
  3. https://www.fandango.com/people/dom-irrera-1024219/biography
  4. https://improv.com/comic/dom%2Birrera/
  5. http://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle.php?titlelink=an-interview-with-dom-irrera
  6. http://www.filmreference.com/film/65/Dom-Irrera.html
  7. https://comedyworks.com/comedians/dom-irrera
  8. https://www.dead-frog.com/comedians/comic/dom-irrera
  9. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Dom-Irrera-Live-from-Las-Vegas/0OVWP03LEMLCLCEY7S09V45T6Y
  10. https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-comedians/dom-irrera-net-worth/
  11. https://www.phillyvoice.com/comic-legend-dom-irrera-talks-philly-hollywood-and-tiny-grandmothers/
  12. https://www.thereporteronline.com/2010/09/13/dom-irrera-stands-up-for-the-italian-laugh-pack/
  13. https://medium.com/northeast-times/its-always-funny-in-philadelphia-557c84c3d46a
  14. https://atlanticcityweekly.com/arts_and_entertainment/5-questions-with-dom-irrera/article_7a830394-699b-58ec-9d40-3c01f37d26f4.html
  15. https://italoamericano.org/dom-irrera/
  16. https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/entertainment/local/2016/03/04/philly-guys-dom-irrera-big/17604992007/
  17. https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/music/dom-irrera-admits-he-was-the-only-italian-rabbi-in-south-florida-6416628
  18. https://www.stu.edu/about-stu/university-history/
  19. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1991/12/06/irrera-tries-taking-a-different-route-to-receive-laughs/
  20. https://theinterrobang.com/unmasked-with-comic-dom-irrera/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0148538/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5444170/
  23. https://www.comedydynamics.com/press/comedy-dynamics-to-release-final-stand-up-special-from-veteran-comic-dom-irrera/
  24. https://domirrera.com/bio
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0301114/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1356484/
  27. https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-volume-one-mw0000504149
  28. https://www.discogs.com/release/1509171-Dom-Irrera-Greatest-Hits-Volume-One
  29. https://forum.dvdtalk.com/tv-talk/358927-comedy-centrals-100-greatest-standups-all-time.html
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093200/fullcredits/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093200/
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414853/characters/nm0410101
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275170/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1148205/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0697697/characters/nm0410101
  37. https://seinfeld.fandom.com/wiki/Ronnie_Kaye
  38. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Hey-Arnold/Ernie-Potts/
  39. https://deadline.com/2025/07/dom-irrera-live-from-las-vegas-release-date-comedy-dynamics-1236459773/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37610597/
  41. https://www.thepitchkc.com/emmy-winning-comedian-dom-irrera-kc-comic-mike-saccone-gab-ahead-of-comedy-club-of-kc-show/
  42. https://www.dystopiatonight.com/day-251-eating-viruses-for-breakfast-with-dom-irrera/
  43. https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/brownstein-dom-irrera-racks-up-the-laughs-one-last-time-at-jfl
  44. https://www.amazon.com/Dom-Irrera-Live-Las-Vegas/dp/B0FCQJH9XR
  45. https://music.apple.com/us/album/live-from-las-vegas/1830279255
  46. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0410101/
  47. https://sidesplitterscomedy.com/events/dom-irrera/
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLBgiJpAQ-A
  49. https://thecomedystore.com/alumni/
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